Objective The anterior cruciate l igament (ACL) is the important stable structure of the knee. To evaluate the method and outcome of bone-ACL-bone (B-ACL-B) allograft under arthroscope in reconstruction of ACL. Methods Between October 2007 and February 2010, arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with deep-freezing B-ACL-B allograft was performed on 22 patients with ACL ruptures. There were 15 males and 7 females with an average age of 27.6 years (range, 19-55 years). The causes of ACL rupture were sport trauma in 12 cases, fall ing injury in 1 case, heavy crush in 2 cases, and traffic accident in 7 cases. The locations were the left knee in 14 cases and the right knee in 8 cases. The disease durationwas 7 days to 12 months (median, 65 days). Nineteen patients showed the positive results of anterior drawer test and pivot shift test, and 21 patients showed the positive results of Lachman test. According to International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) criteria, there were 5 abnormal and 17 severely abnormal. The subjective IKDC score was 49.6 ± 6.9. The Lysholm score was 48.5 ± 5.3. The Tegner scale scores were 6.8 ± 1.2 before injury and 2.1 ± 0.5 before operation. The MRI showed the ACL injuries in 18 of 20 patients. Results The mean operative time was 75 minutes (range, 65-85 minutes); the mean blood loss was 110 mL (range, 80-150 mL). All incisions healed by first intention. No immunologic rejection and deep vein thrombosis of lower l imbs occurred. All patients were followed up 7-34 months (mean, 18 months). At last follow-up, the flexion of the knee ranged from 125 to 135° (mean, 130.5°). Two patients showed the positive results of anterior drawer test, 1 patient showed the positive result of pivot shift test, and 3 patients showed the positive results of Lachman test. According to the IKDC criteria, 10 patients rated as normal, 11 patients as nearly normal, 1 patient as abnormal. The subjective IKDC score was 90.0 ± 5.8, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative one (t=4.653, P=0.021). The Lysholm score was 91.6 ± 7.1, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative one (t=4.231, P=0.028). The Tegner scale score was 6.1 ± 1.5, showing no significant difference when compared with one before injury (t=1.321, P=0.070) and showing significant difference when compared preoperative one (t=3.815, P=0.033). The arthroscopic examination showed no rupture of grafts in 19 patients, 17 grafts showed normal tension, and 2 showed sl ight relaxation at 6 months after operation. Conclusion Reconstruction of the ACL with B-ACL-B allograft under arthroscope is a safe and effective method, which can anatomically reconstruct ACL and obtain a good recovery of the knee function after operation.
Objective To investigate the effect of Kartogenin (KGN) combined with adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on tendon-bone healing after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in rabbits. Methods After the primary ADSCs were cultured by passaging, the 3rd generation cells were cultured with 10 μmol/L KGN solution for 72 hours. The supernatant of KGN-ADSCs was harvested and mixed with fibrin glue at a ratio of 1∶1; the 3rd generation ADSCs were mixed with fibrin glue as a control. Eighty adult New Zealand white rabbits were taken and randomly divided into 4 groups: saline group (group A), ADSCs group (group B), KGN-ADSCs group (group C), and sham-operated group (group D). After the ACL reconstruction model was prepared in groups A-C, the saline, the mixture of ADSCs and fibrin glue, and the mixture of supernatant of KGN-ADSCs and fibrin glue were injected into the tendon-bone interface and tendon gap, respectively. ACL was only exposed without other treatment in group D. The general conditions of the animals were observed after operation. At 6 and 12 weeks, the tendon-bone interface tissues and ACL specimens were taken and the tendon-bone healing was observed by HE staining, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) immunohistochemical staining, and TUNEL apoptosis assay. The fibroblasts were counted, and the positive expression rate of JNK protein and apoptosis index (AI) were measured. At the same time point, the tensile strength test was performed to measure the maximum load and the maximum tensile distance to observe the biomechanical properties. Results Twenty-eight rabbits were excluded from the study due to incision infection or death, and finally 12, 12, 12, and 16 rabbits in groups A-D were included in the study, respectively. After operation, the tendon-bone interface of groups A and B healed poorly, while group C healed well. At 6 and 12 weeks, the number of fibroblasts and positive expression rate of JNK protein in group C were significantly higher than those of groups A, B, and D (P<0.05). Compared with 6 weeks, the number of fibroblasts gradually decreased and the positive expression rate of JNK protein and AI decreased in group C at 12 weeks after operation, with significant differences (P<0.05). Biomechanical tests showed that the maximum loads at 6 and 12 weeks after operation in group C were higher than in groups A and B, but lower than those in group D, while the maximum tensile distance results were opposite, but the differences between groups were significant (P<0.05). Conclusion After ACL reconstruction, local injection of a mixture of KGN-ADSCs and fibrin glue can promote the tendon-bone healing and enhance the mechanical strength and tensile resistance of the tendon-bone interface.
Objective To compare the biological characteristics of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and anterior cruciate ligament derived mesenchymal stem cells (ACL-MSCs) from ratsin vitro. Methods Ten male SPF-level BN rats, weighing 200-220 g, were selected to obtain anterior cruciate ligaments and bone marrows, and ACL-MSCs and BMSCs were isolated for passage culture respectively under sterile condition. The cell morphology was observed, and the cells at passage 3 were used to detect the surface markers of CD34, CD45, CD90, and CD29 by flow cytometry, the ability of cell proliferation by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8), and colony formation ability by clone forming test. The mRNA levels of differentiation related genes [alkaline phosphatas (ALP), bone gamma-carboxyglutamate protein, runt related transcription factor 2, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), secreted phosphoprotein 1 (Spp1), collagen type II α1 (Col2α1), Aggrecan (Acan), Sox9, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ2 (PPARγ2), and CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein-α] were also determined by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. Results BMSCs and ACL-MSCs had similar morphology, adherent cells displaying long fusiform. The immunoprofile of ACL-MSCs and BMSCs at passage 3 was positive for CD29 and CD90 and was negative for CD45 and CD34. The absorbance (A) value of ACL-MSCs (1.11±0.08) was significantly higher than that of BMSCs (0.78±0.05) (t=3.599,P=0.023); the number of colonies of ACL-MSCs [(53.00±5.51)/hole] was significantly more than that of BMSCs [(30.67±4.84)/hole] (t=3.045,P=0.038). The results of toluidine blue staining, alizarin red staining, and oil red O staining were positive in BMSCs and ACL-MSCs at 21 days after osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic induction. The mRNA expressions of BMP-2, Spp1, Col2α1, Acan, Sox9, and PPARγ2 in ACL-MSCs were significantly higher than those in BMSCs (P<0.01). Conclusion The proliferation potential of ACL-MSCs is greater than that of BMSCs, and the former is apt to differentiate into chondrocytes. ACL-MSCs are promising cells to promote tendon-bone healing.
Objective To investigate the changes of knee joint kinematics after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction assisted by personalized femoral positioner based on the apex of deep cartilage (ADC). Methods Between January 2021 and January 2022, a total of 40 patients with initial ACL rupture who met the selection criteria were randomly divided into the study group (using the personalized femoral positioner based on ADC design to assist ACL reconstruction) and the control group (not using the personalized femoral positioner to assist ACL reconstruction), with 20 patients in each group. Another 20 volunteers with normal knee were collected as a healthy group. There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, and affected side between groups (P>0.05). Gait analysis was performed at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation using Opti _ Knee three-dimensional knee joint motion measurement and analysis system, and the 6 degrees of freedom (flexion and extension angle, varus and valgus angle, internal and external rotation angle, anteroposterior displacement, superior and inferior displacement, internal and external displacement) and motion cycle (maximum step length, minimum step length, and step frequency) of the knee joint were recorded. The patients’ data was compared to the data of healthy group. Results In the healthy group, the flexion and extension angle was (57.80±3.45)°, the varus and valgus angle was (10.54±1.05)°, the internal and external rotation angle was (13.02±1.66)°, and the anteroposterior displacement was (1.44±0.39) cm, the superior and inferior displacement was (0.86±0.20) cm, and the internal and external displacement was (1.38±0.39) cm. The maximum step length was (51.24±1.29) cm, the minimum step length was (45.69±2.28) cm, and the step frequency was (12.45±0.47) step/minute. Compared with the healthy group, the flexion and extension angles and internal and external rotation angles of the patients in the study group and the control group decreased at 3 months after operation, and the flexion and extension angles of the patients in the control group decreased at 6 months after operation, and the differences were significant (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in the other time points and other indicators when compared with healthy group (P>0.05). In the study group, the flexion and extension angles and internal and external rotation angles at 6 and 12 months after operation were significantly greater than those at 3 months after operation (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the other indicators at other time points (P>0.05). There was a significant difference in flexion and extension angle between the study group and the control group at 6 months after operation (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference of the indicators between the two groups at other time points (P>0.05).Conclusion Compared with conventional surgery, ACL reconstruction assisted by personalized femoral positioner based on ADC design can help patients achieve more satisfactory early postoperative kinematic results, and three-dimensional kinematic analysis can more objectively and dynamically evaluate the postoperative recovery of knee joint.
Objective
To study the short-term effectiveness of absorbable anchor in repairing of partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture.
Methods
Between December 2013 and February 2015, 22 patients with partial ACL rupture were repaired with absorbable anchor under arthroscopy. There were 12 males and 10 females with an average age of 27.5 years (range, 20-44 years). The injury located at left knee in 8 cases and at right knee in 14 cases. The time from injury to admission ranged from 2 to 13 days (mean, 9.8 days). Sixteen partial ACL ruptures combined with meniscus injury. The effectiveness was assessed by Tegner score, Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and MRI, as well as knee laxity was evaluated by KT-1000.
Results
All incisions healed at stage Ⅰ without any complication. All patients were followed up 12 months. ACL rerupture did not occurred during follow-up. There was no significant difference in Tegner score, Lysholm score, and IKDC score between before injury and at 12 months after operation (P>0.05). And the median satisfaction VAS score was 9.5 (range, 9-10). The tibial anterior translation difference was 0.5 mm (range, 0-6 mm). MRI showed that the scarring and continuity of the ligament were rated as grade 1 in all patients.
Conclusion
Arthroscopic repairing by absorbable anchor is a feasible method for partial ACL rupture, with ideal knee function, good satisfaction, and satisfactory short-term effectiveness.
Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes of autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods Between August 2014 and August 2016, 42 patients with ACL ruptures who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction were randomly divided into 2 groups: 21 patients received graft soaked with PRP (trial group) and 21 patients received routine graft in ACL reconstruction (control group). Because 6 patients failed to be followed up, 17 patients of trial group and 19 of control group were enrolled in the study. There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, side, injury reason, disease duration, Kellgren-Lawrence grade, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS), Lysholm score, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) activity scores between 2 groups (P>0.05). VAS score, Lysholm score, and IKDC activity scores were used to evaluate pain and function at 3 and 12 months postoperatively. Further, second arthroscopy and MRI examination were performed at 12 months postoperatively. Results The patients in both groups were followed up 3 to 12 months with an average of 9.83 months. The VAS score, Lysholm score, and IKDC activity scores were significantly improved at 3 and 12 months after operation in 2 groups (P<0.05), and the scores of trial group were significantly better than those of control group at 3 months (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between 2 groups at 12 months (P>0.05). No complications of effusion, infection, and allergy were observed in 2 groups during follow-up. MRI showed good position of ACL grafts and good signal quality of the graft in the majority of the cases. However, mixed hyperintense and presence of synovial fluid at the femoral bone-tendon graft interface were found in 3 patients of trial group and 4 patients of control group, indicating poor remodeling ligamentation. MRI score was 3.53±1.13 in trial group and was 3.21±0.92 in control group, showing no significant difference (t=0.936,P=0.356). The second arthroscopy examination showed ligament remodeling score was higher in trial group than control group (t=3.248,P=0.014), but no significant difference was found in synovial coverage score and the incidence of cartilage repair (t=2.190,P=0.064;χ2=0.090,P=0.764). Conclusion PRP application in allograft ACL reconstruction can improve knee function and relieve pain after operation, which may also accelerate graft remodeling.
Objective
To explore the feasibility of pre-implantation of high-intensity suture into tendon grafts to prevent postoperative graft relaxation and creep in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.
Methods
Thirty-six specimens of ACL reconstruction graft were made using adult swine’s Achilles tendon. All the specimens were randomly divided into experimental group (groups A and C) and control group (groups B and D), 9 specimens each group. One double-strand Ultrabraid No.2 high-intensity suture was pre-implanted into the grafts of groups A and C. Groups A and B underwent a 1 000-cycles load test while groups C and D underwent a 3 000-cycles load test. Then a pull-out test was performed until failure. The displacements at different cycles (100, 500, 1 000, 2 000, and 3 000) in all groups and yield loads of groups C and D were measured and analyzed.
Results
The displacement of group A was significantly smaller than that of group B at the cycles of 100, 500, and 1 000 (P<0.05); the displacement of group C was significantly smaller than that of group D at every cycle (P<0.05). Additionally, the yield load of group C was significantly higher than that of group D (t=4.816,P=0.001).
Conclusion
Pre-implantation of high-intensity suture into tendon grafts play an important role in the prevention of postoperative graft creep and relaxation in ACL reconstruction.
Objective To summarize the current management of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in children and adolescents, in order to provide reference for the management of ACL injury in children and adolescents. MethodsThe relevant literature at home and abroad in recent years was extensively accessed to summarize the management status of ACL injury in children and adolescent. Results The number of ACL injury in children and adolescents is increasing every year. The diagnosis of ACL mainly depends on symptoms and signs. Rehabilitation, physeal-sparing techniques, partial transphyseal techniques, all-epiphyseal techniques, and transphyseal techniques are used to treat ACL injury in children and adolescents. Conclusion Dynamic monitoring of knee joint in children and adolescents should be strengthened. The best treatment for ACL injury in children and adolescents is selected according to the patients’ actual age, bone age, Tanner stage, and physiological conditions such as menstruation, body growth speed, and other characteristics.
ObjectiveTo summarize the mid-term effectiveness of arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction combined with meniscus allograft transplantation.MethodsA clinical data of 21 patients treated with arthroscopic ACL reconstruction and meniscus allograft transplantation and followed up more than 5 years between February 2007 and December 2014 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 12 males and 9 females, aged from 18 to 45 years, with an average age of 23.5 years. The cause of injury was sport sprain in 15 cases, falling in 4 cases, and traffic accident in 2 cases. The time from injury to operation ranged from 2 to 36 months, with an average of 12 months. Among them, 15 patients underwent previous meniscectomy, with an average interval of 1.6 years (range, 3 months to 6.5 years). All patients were primary ACL reconstruction. Preoperative anterior drawer test, Lachman test, and pivot shift test were positive. Lysholm score was 43.6±10.2. International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score was 60.50±14.06. Of the 21 patients, 10 were gradeⅠ-Ⅱcartilage injuries and 11 were grade Ⅲ cartilage injuries according to MRI. ResultsAll patients were followed up 5.1-7.8 years, with an average of 5.5 years. There were 2 cases of numbness of lower extremity, 3 cases of slight exudation of incision, 2 cases of articular movement bounce, 5 cases of mild joint swelling and pain after exercise. At last follow-up, Lachman tests were negative in 18 cases and positive in 3 cases; anterior drawer tests were negative in 19 cases and positive in 2 cases; pivot shift tests were negative in all cases. Lysholm score was 84.5±16.5 and IKDC score was 85.25±4.60, which were significantly higher than those before operation (P<0.01). The flexion and extension of the affected knee joint were (128±13) and (3±7)°, respectively, which were smaller than those of the healthy knee joint [(133±15), (0±5)°] (P<0.01). The results of KT-1000 test showed that when knee flexion was 30 and 90°, tibial anterior displacement of affected side [(2.35±1.20), (1.60±1.15) mm] were not significantly different from those of healthy side [(1.20±1.10), (1.10±1.03) mm] (P>0.01). MRI showed that the ACL graft was in normal position and meniscus survived well. Cartilage injuries were gradeⅠ-Ⅱ in 18 cases and grade Ⅲ in 3 cases. ConclusionFor patients with severe meniscus injury and ACL rupture, ACL reconstruction combined with meniscus allograft transplantation can restore the stability of the joint, recover the meniscus function which is conducive to the protection of articular cartilage and obtain satisfactory mid-term effectiveness.
Objective To analyze the correlation between the morphology of tibial intercondylar eminence and non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, and provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and risk identification of ACL injury. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the knee radiographs of 401 patients admitted to the Chengdu Second People’s Hospital between January 2017 and October 2021, including 219 males and 182 females. Non-contact rupture of ACL was observed in 180 patients and confirmed by arthroscopy or surgery, while the remained 221 patients were confirmed to have normal ACL by physical examination and MRI. The heights of medial and lateral tibial intercondylar eminence and the width of tibial intercondylar eminence of the 401 patients were measured, and the risk factors of ACL injury were analyzed. Results The height of medial tibial intercondylar eminence was lower and the width of tibial intercondylar eminence was smaller in male patients with ACL fracture than those in the male control group with statistical significance (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that a narrow width of tibial intercondylar eminence was a risk factor of ACL injury in males (P<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the diagnostic threshold was 11.40 mm, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.851 [95% confidence interval (CI) (0.797, 0.896)], the sensitivity was 72.81%, and the specificity was 84.76%. The height of medial tibial intercondylar eminence was lower and the width of tibial intercondylar eminence was smaller in female patients than those in the female control group with statistical significance (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that both a low height of medial tibial intercondylar eminence and a narrow width of tibial intercondylar eminence were risk factors of ACL injury in females (P<0.05). For the width of medial tibial intercondylar eminence, the ROC curve showed that the diagnostic threshold was 8.30 mm, and the AUC was 0.684 [95%CI (0.611, 0.751)], the sensitivity and specificity were 63.64% and 72.41%, respectively; for the height of medial tibial intercondylar eminence, the diagnostic threshold was 11.30 mm, and the AUC was 0.699 [95%CI (0.627, 0.756)], the sensitivity was 89.39%, and the specificity was 47.41%. Conclusions The reduced width of tibial intercondylar eminence is a risk factor and effective predictor of non-contact ACL injury in males. Both the reduced height of the medial tibial intercondylar eminence and the reduced width of tibial intercondylar eminence are risk factors and may be predictors for non-contact ACL injury in females.
